Style me please!!

[Tomatoshish]

I can't seem to dress myself nicely for my shape.

I'm a 16 top, 12/14 waist and 16 hips. Quite Literally hour glass. So everything either looks top tight on top and hips or way too loose abd frumpy.

I'm looking fir smart casual. I prefer long tops that cover my bum. And I will wear them with trousers or jeans. I like making skirts abd dresses but if they have a tie I look frumpy.

And just fir added difficulty I wear hijab so can't be too tight or revealing!!

Any help or advice would be much appreciated. After 4 kids who are all finally.in school I don't want to be frumpy mum anymore!

Please and thank you in advance!!

Bumpty bump.

Do you need to look to look modest, as in not too figure hugging, and to have your legs covered?

Something like this might give you some pointers
Hourglass Body Shape: A Comprehensive Guide | the concept wardrobe

I forgot to say that it sounds like you have a great figure, and are not at all frumpy.

Hope I've bumped the thread for you.

Thank you @MerryChristmasToYou I really appreciate that. I shall have a read!

Would something like Folky Floral Tunic Dress | Womens Tops & Tees | Joe Browns worn with jeans or not-skinny leggings be ok, @Tomatoshish ?

I'm not particularly stylish but I'm hoping to bump your thread.

Yes it's similar to what I wear now but with like boot cut jeans and then a long cardi.

Thank you. I shall take a look

A long cardi doesn't sound great but they do vary. I'd recommend one that has some shape to it and not a waterfall one, and wear something to define your waist underneath it.

Maybe in something like merino wool as it's not bulky.

Surely someone out there could post.

How about a soft cashmere jumper that finishes on your waist and a long, floaty/silk skirt? Or a wrap cashmere cardigan that’s long enough to cover your bum but you can gather a bit around your waist?

That sounds nice. A sleeveless long cardi in cashmere or wool silk blend would be an upgrade on the cardi

Or something like this ? I

Thank you ladies. Great ideas. I shall take a look!!

Or this

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/by-anthropologie-mockable-maxi-cardigan?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=014&searchparams=q%3Dcardigan&type=REGULAR&quantity=1 this is quite cool, I think

@BuddhaAtSea oo thank you. I love the second one! Thank you

I need to go shopping really. Don't I? Try things on. Hardly anything where I am any more though!

I love the first one!

Would these look OK together?

I like this one
Poetry - Cotton tape shawl-collar cardigan (poetryfashion.co.uk)
There are a few other gorgeous ones too including a hooded one but a bit spendy

V-neck is usually better if you have a bust

Yes, but the t-shirt looks better than the shirtdress.

@BuddhaAtSea , thanks for your input. I'm not stylish at all and was bumping the thread a bit because it sounds like a query that could be of use to many.

I would have straight jeans instead of flared with the shirt dress. On me, it would be all a bit too rara skirts, if that’s a thing 😂.

The silkfred cardigan is ❤ but I'm too short for the style. (my wallet is thanking me)

@MerryChristmasToYou you’re very kind. My body shape has changed and unless I wear something quirky, I just look frumpy (14 top/16 bottom).
I think unless you’re and 8-10, toned and young you’re not really getting away with just throwing stuff on and still looking amazing 😂

I'm a bit busty and stick to thin crew neck button up cardigans otherwise I look like a blob. M&S is my 'go to' for them as they're good for acrylic ones that don't look cheap. Uniqlo is good for merino.

Any length or bulk and I look short and dumpy.

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. That's the problem. Everything lolls great on slim models but I always look frumpy. Really doesn't matter what it is!

@Tomatoshish , the models tend to be tall, slim, and with 'boyish' figures.
House of Bruar is good for well-priced knitwear, and uses models who have more realistic figures. Their styling can be a bit frumpy but if you can imagine how it would look on you and how you would style it.

Ignore the frilly shirt but this one is the sort of thing I was thinking of Ladies Merino Cashmere Long Waistcoat - House of Bruar